It took more than 15 years of research, standardization work, and develop ment with an enormous effort of manpower to bring third generation (3G) wireless communication systems to life. The first research work on 3G sys tems started around 1988 1]. At this time the striking success of second generation (2G) systems, especially of GSM (Global System for Mobile Com munications), was not yet evident. A substantial part of these early research activities took place in Europe and was sponsored by the European Commis sion in the course of research programs such as: Research and Development of...